Bridgeport - On Thursday, November 15, beginning at 7pm, The Bijou Theatre in historic downtown Bridgeport will journey back in time for a double-feature screening of Dracula’s two earliest—and still most famous—movie appearances. This spine-tingling series of old-school movies is showing as Brian Solomon of TheVaultofHorror.net hosts a journey into mystery and terror, BEDLAM AT THE BIJOU: The Count Begins.
Dracula has ingrained himself at the very core of our consciousness—a Jungian archetype that transcends its literary origins. Though the names are changed to avoid copyright infringement, the 1922 German Expressionist gem “Nosferatu” is indeed the first film adaptation of Bram Stoker’s timeless novel. And after 90 years, it’s still one of the most terrifying movies ever made. But when we think of the Count, it’s inevitably Bela Lugosi’s portrayal in the 1931 Universal production of “Dracula” that instantly comes to mind. Despite decades of kitsch and parody, this remains an iconic milestone in the history of horror.
“I believe this is the first time that ‘Nosferatu’ and the 1931 Dracula have ever been shown together in one double feature,” said Solomon. “It’s going to be a bloody good evening, and I look forward to sharing the scares with horror fans, as well as anyone fascinated by film history or the phenomenon of the vampire in popular culture.”
Special guest Paul Bibeau, author of the book “Sundays with Vlad” that chronicles Dracula’s influence on modern culture, will join Solomon for a unique post-film Q&A. There are plans to enlist classical musicians to play a live accompaniment to the silent classic “Nosferatu,” and vampire-worthy wine specials will be available at the Bijou’s luxurious bar.
This is the third monthly installment of BEDLAM AT THE BIJOU, with previous double features focusing on such topics as giant monsters and zombies. Recently, it was revealed that BEDLAM AT THE BIJOU would be extended through the end of winter.
BEDLAM AT THE BIJOU: The Count Begins takes place at The Bijou Theatre at 275 Fairfield Avenue in Bridgeport. The evening begins at 7pm, and tickets are $10. Call 203-332-3228 or go the TheBijouTheatre.com for more information.
